Centering for reinforced concrete construction.



G. C. STAEHLE.

CENTERING FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3. 1915.

Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

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amvawtbq G. C. STAHLE.

CENTERING FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3. 19l5.

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GILBERT C. STAEHLE, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

CENTERING- FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

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Application filed May 3, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GILBERT C. STAEHLE, a citizen of the United States,residing in Omaha, in Douglas county, in the State of Nebraska, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Centering for ReinforcedConcrete Construction, and have described the same in the followingspecification, illustrated by the accompanying drawings. My inventionrelates to the construction 0 buildings of reinforced concrete, and inparticular to the construction and support of that class of removablefalse-work, or centering, which is used in erecting such buildings. Itis the object of the invention to mount and support the entire centeringsystem of the building which is in process of construction, upon thefootings of the concrete columns, or other ground footings alone, andindependently of all concrete flooring; to reduce to a minimum thenecessary number of posts used in the support of the centering; tosupport the floors of the building, while green, by centering memberswhich are suspended from above; to provide means for supporting eachfloor of the building from the concrete columns alone, and without theaid of posts under the floor; to diminish the quantity of lumbernecessary to be used in supporting simultaneously two or more floors ofthe building which are in different conditions of hardness; to expeditethe completion of the building by supporting each higher floorindependently of all the floors below it; to allow the lower floors ofthe building to be finished. covered and partitioned before the upperfloors are formed; and in general to produce a superior centering of thespecified class and a superior method of constructing buildings ofreinforced concrete by the use of that centering. To accomplish theseresults I incorporate in my improved centering, as parts thereof,temporary posts contiguous to the concrete columns of the building, aplurality of beams spanning the posts in pairs respectively, andsupporting similar pairs above, centering girders supported betweencolumns by the posts, a plurality of stringers resting their ends on thecentering girders, tension mem bers connecting each stringer withcentering girders above, and a floor platform, support- Specification ofltetters Patent.

lP'atented Apr. 1, H116.

Serial No. 25,460.

ed either mediately or immedately by the stringers.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the best manner in which Ihave contemplated applying the principles of my invention, Figure 1 is avertical section on the line 11 of Fig. 5, showing the centering of thefirst and second floors of a building of reinforced concrete underconstruction in accordance with these principles. Fig. 2 is a verticalsection of the same on the line 2-2 of Fig. 5. Fig. 3 is a verticalsection, corresponding to part of Fig. 1,'and showing the invention in amodified form as applied to a concrete building having a steel frame.Fig. 4 is a vertical section, corresponding to a portion of Fig. 2, andshowing the same modification, as applied to the same steelconstruction. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.Fig. 6 is a horizontal section of one of the concrete column boxes ofthe same building, with the centering posts contiguous thereto. Fig. 7is a side elevation of the same.

In the illustrated and unmodified form of my invention, a pair ofvertical posts 1 are applied immediately to opposite sides of each ofthe concrete columns 2. If placed in position before the casting of thecolumns they form parts of the column boxes 18. These posts are set uponsuitable foundations, preferably the column footings 3, and extend to apoint slightly above the bottom level of the lower floor 4. Across thetop of each pair of posts 1, rests the short beam 5, which is to beembedded in the concrete of the floor 4, and is tosupport an additionalpair of similar posts 1, applied to each column 2 in approximatealinement with the posts 1. and extending slightly above the bottomlevel of the second floor 6 for the like support of the like beam 5 inthat floor. These posts, being preferably timbers approximately sixinches square, are continued above the level of each succeeding higherfloor in turn by similar extensions 1 1 etc., and are joined, fromcolumn to column between the fioors, by the horizontal cleats 7. Bythese posts, post extensions and transverse beams, a continuous doublevertical standard is formed against opposite sides of each of thebuilding columns. :lhe centering girders 8. preferably of timber, extendfrom post to post between the columns. They are removably supported onthe brackets 9 carried by the posts, and serve tospace the latter apartand to brace them snugly against their contacting columns 2respectively.

A plurality of wooden stringers 10, resting their opposite ends on thecentering girders 8, and spanning the distance between them, severallysustain the dependent horizontal brackets 11, which are rotatable on theconnecting and sustaining bolts- 12, as central vertical pivots. Each ofthese stringers is attached to two of the centering girders above bytension members which are ties of adjustable length, such as the rods13, having the turnbuckles 14. These tension members are attached to thestringers at points approximately equidistant from each other and fromthe ends of the stringer. Additional stringers 10 spanning the distancebetween the concrete columns, are supported at opposite ends by theyokes 13*, which are dependent from the floor beams 5, 5, etc., and onthese additional stringers are seated the additional horizontal brackets11 similar to the brackets 11, and rotatable on the vertical pivot bolts12. These additional stringers support the beam boxes 19, which are ofusual construction. The platform 21, on which the flooring concrete isto be poured, consists preferably of a number of panels, or unitary andseparable fiat structures, comprising severally a portion of decking 15,joists 16, on which that decking is laid, and the ledgers 17 supportingthe joists and resting on the pivoted brackets as shown. On each of thestringers 10 is a separable strip of decking 15*, level with the deckingon these panels.

At this point may be explained the manner in which the describedcentering is used. The centering posts 1 are erected upon the groundfootings either before or after the concrete columns are formed, as maybe preferred, and are braced and connected by the centering girders asdescribed. One of the steel beams 5 is then laid across the top of eachpair of the posts, and parallel to the girders. Then a pair of theextension posts 1 are set upright on each of the beams 5, and connectedby bracing girders 8, mounted between the pairs as described. Then bymeans of the tension members, the stringers 10 of the first floor aresuspended from the girders above; and the stringers 10, from the beams5. Then the centering panels for the first floor are placed edge to edgeon the lower brackets 11 and 11; the beam boxes for the first floor aremounted on the lower brackets 11; and the column boxes are then orpreviously erected in the usual manner. Then, after the formation ofthat portion of the columns which is below the level of the first floor,the concrete is spread upon the lower panels, and forms continuouslywith the columns, the floor 4., wherein the beams 5 are embedded. Thenin like manner one of the steel beams 5 is laid across the top of eachpair of the extension posts 1; a pair of extension posts l of the secondstory are set on each of the beams 5; girders 8 are placed between thepairs of posts 1"; the stringers 10 of the second floor are suspendedby-tension members from the girders above, and the stringers 10 of thesame floor from the beams 5*; then the panels for the second floor arehoisted into position, edge to edge on the brackets 11 and 11 as shown;then the beam boxes for the second floor are mounted on the brackets 11,as shown; and then, after the formation of that portion of the columnswhich is below the level of the second floor, the concrete is pouredupon the last-mentioned panels, and forms continuously with the columnsthe floor 6, wherein the beams 5 are embedded. And so on repetitiouslyfor each of the higher floors in succession. In the progress of thiswork the panels on which any lower floor of the building has been cast,may be removed at an early stage in the hardening of that floor, andwhile the latter is still green, the removal being easily effected uponrotating the brackets through an angle of ninety degrees from theposition shown. The removed panels are then immediately available forthe formation of another floor above; the weight of the first-mentionedfloor being carried to the posts by the stringers, the tension membersand the girders, and sustained thereby until that floor is fully cured.When the stringers, girders and posts under any floor are thus removed,the weight of the construction loads above is sustained by the columnsalone, being transferred thereto by the steel beams embedded in thatfloor. To facilitate the removal of the tension members when no longerneeded, they are provided with the sleeves 23 in the concrete floors.

In that modification of my invention which is shown in Figs. 3 and 4,the steel column 22 is substituted for the concrete column 2 and for theposts 1, 1, etc., which are above described; the beams 55, correspondingto the centering girders 8, are parts of the steel frame of thebuilding, as usually constructed, and are to form parts of the floor 6and the next floor above respectively; the described stringers 10, yokes13, brackets 11, and pivot bolts 12, are omitted; the described brackets11, pivot bolts 12, decking 15, joists 16 and ledgers 17 are retained;for the decking strip 15 is substituted the wooden beam 20, spanning thestringers as a simple beam which separates from each other the adjacentpanels 15, and serves as a support for the concrete after the removal ofthe panels; while the stringers 100, corresponding to the describedstringers 10, are suspended from the beams 55 by tension memberscomprising the screw rods 133, turnbuckles 1-H, and rods or cab es 134.

][ claim-- 1. A centering of the specified class, comprising a pluralityof panels for the support of a concrete floor during its initialsetting, a plurality of brackets adjustable for the support of thepanels, a plurality of stringers carrying the brackets, a pluralityoftension members suspending the stringers, and means for supporting thetension members on ground footings independently of the floors of thebuilding.

2. A centering of the specified class, comprising a plurality ofdependent tension members supported from the ground independently of thebuilding floors, a plurality of stringers suspended by the tensionmembers, a plurality of adjustable brackets carried by the stringers,.and a plurality of panels supported on the brackets during the initialsetting of a floor on the panels.

3. A centering of the specified class, comprising a plurality of panelsfor the support of a concrete floor during its initial setting, aplurality of brackets adjustable for the support of the panels, aplurality of stringers carrying the brackets, and a plurality of tensionmembers suspending the stringers and supported from the groundindependently of the building floors.

4. A centering of the specified class, com prising a plurality of panelsfor the support of a concrete floor during its initial setting, aplurality of stringers for the support of that floor while hardening, aplurality of brackets carried by the stringers and adjustable for thesupport of the panels, and a plurality of tension members suspending thestringers and supported from the ground independently of the buildingfloors.

5. A centering of the specified class, comprising a plurality ofremovable posts supported by the building columns, a plurality oftemporary girders supported by the posts, a plurality of tiesdependently attached to the girders, a plurality of stringers suspendedby the ties, a plurality of pivoted brackets supported by the stringers,and a plurality of panels supported by the brackets for the support of aconcrete floor while setting.

6. A centering of the specified class, com prising a plurality of panelsfor the support of a floor, girders above the panels, a plurality ofties suspending the panels from the girders, and a plurality ofremovable posts supported on previously molded portions of the buildingcolumns for the temporary support of the girders.

7. A centering of the specified class, comprising a platform consistingof a plurality of separable portions for the support of a floor pouredthereon, stringers for the immediate support of portions of theplatform, and detachable means suspended from the stringers for thesupport of other portions of the platform.

8. A centering of the specified class, comprising removable postssupported on beams embedded in the building columns, a platform disposedbelow said beams and adapted to mold a floor embedding the beams, andmeans for suspending the platform from the posts.

9. A centering of the specified class, comprising a platform for thesupport of a floor While soft, a plurality of horizontal stringerslocated between sections of said platform for the support of the floorwhile hardening, adjustable means whereby the platform can be removedWithout removing the stringers, and means for suspending the stringersfrom supports above the floor.

10. A centering of the specified class, comprising a plurality ofvertical standards, a plurality of dependent tension members supportedtherefrom, and a plurality of platforms suspended by the tensionmembers; each of the standards having a plurality of posts disposed inpairs one above another and a plurality of transverse beams embedded inthe floors.

11. A centering of the specified class, comprising a plurality ofvertical standards, a plurality of dependent tension members supportedtherefrom, and a plurality of floor platforms suspended by the tensionmembers; each of the standards having constituent posts located atopposite sides of one of the concrete columns of the building andsupporting a crossbeam which is embedded in the floor and column.

12. A centering of the specified class, comprising a platform for. thesupport of a concrete floor thereon While taking its initial set, aplurality of stringers located between sections of said platform for thesupport of the floor while curing, adjustable means carried by thestringers whereby the platform can be removed without removing thestringers, and a plurality of ties of adjustable leng'th for suspendingthe stringers from supports above.

13. A centering of the specified class, comprising a platform on which afloor of the building is cast, and means for temporarily suspending thefloor from above, when the platform is removed, said means bearing onpreviously molded portions of the building columns.

14. A centering of the specified class, comprising a plurality ofvertical standards, a platform on which the floor is cast, and means forsupporting the platform from the standards; each of the standards havinga pair of constituent posts located at opposite sides of one of theconcrete columns of the building, and a cross beam which is embedded inthe floor and column.

15. A centering of the specified class, comprising a platform removableposts carried by the building columns and located above the level of theplatform, and means for supporting the platform from the posts.

' 16. A centering of the specified class, comprising removable postscarried by the building columns for suspending one portion of the floor,and separable means, dependent from the first-mentioned means, forsuspending another portion of the floor.

17. A centering of the specified class, comprising a platform havingremovable panels for the support of a floor, stringers supporting thefloor independently of the panels, and means for supporting andreleasing the panels from the stringers.

18. That improvement in the art of concrete construction which consistsin molding a lower portion of the building columns, erecting thereon aplurality of removable posts, suspending a platform from and below theposts, and then molding a floor on the platform so suspended.

19. That improvement in the art of concrete construction which consistsin molding a lower portion of the building columns, mounting thereon aplurality of removable posts, suspending from and below the posts aplatform having stringers and intermediate panels, molding a floor onthe platform,

removing the panels while the' floor is soft, and supporting the floorby the stringers after the removal of the panels.

20. That improvement in the art of concrete construction which consistsin molding a building column with cross-beams extending outwardlytherefrom at the floor level, placing removable supports on saidcrossbeams extending above the floor level, removably suspending acentering below the level of the crossbeams from the supports andmolding a floor to embed the crossbeams.

21. That improvement in the art of reinforced concrete constructionwhich consists in temporarily suspending a sectional centering fromoverhead supports carried by the building columns, molding a floorthereon, thereafter removing certain of those sections while leavingothers to longer support the floor, and later removing the remainder ofsaid sections.

22. That improvement in the art of reinforced concrete constructionwhich consists in supporting concrete flooring, while taking its initialset, partly on a centering platform and partly on stringers supportingthe platform, and in afterward removing the platform and leaving thefloor supported by the stringers while curing.

Witness my signature at Omaha, Nebraska, May 1st, 1915.

GILBERT C. STAEHLE.

